Garment hanger



p 1967 H. H. MERRIMAN 3,343,734

GARMENT HANGER Filed March 14, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 52 INVENTOR 6 55 HENRY H. MERR N 68 m IG.8 B

ATTORNEYS Sept. 26, 1967 H. H. MERRIMAN GARMENT HANGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 14, 1966 TIQZO /62 INVENIOR HENRY H MERRI MAN BQMWJ W EFIGJZ FIG. 18

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,343,734 GARMENT HANGER Henry H. Merriman, 751 W. Washington St., Jackson, Mich. 49201 Filed Mar. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 534,184 8 Claims. (Cl. 22396) The invention pertains to a hanger for supporting garments, and the like, and particularly relates to a hanger of the holding type wherein a biasing force holds the garment or article being hung between a pair of opposed surfaces.

A great number of garment hangers employing biasing forces to hold the garment being hung have been proposed and manufactured. Many such hangers are constructed for the particular purpose of supporting mens trousers or pants in a manner which will discourage wrinkling and permit the weight of the pants, when hung, to minimize the formation of creases. While the prior garment-supporting devices of this type are often satisfactory to produce the desired result, many of the proposed garment hangers are not commercially practical because of cost of manufacture, difiiculty in use, or undue complexity in manufacture, assembly, and utilization.

It is an object of the invention to provide a garment hanger generally known as the pants hanger type which is of a simplified form of construction, easy to use, durable, and readily manufacturable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment hanger adapted to hold the garment between opposed surfaces wherein a biasing force is exerted upon one of the members defining one of the surfaces and wherein an equalized biasing force is imposed upon the biased member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment hanger which may be constructed of easily formed and fabricated materials, and wherein the components of the hanger may be readily assembled and, after assembly, will be maintained in predetermined relationship.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment hanger including a biased equalizing bar wherein the holding forces imposed upon the garment being hung are equalized and undue pinching of the hung garment at localized portions is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment hanger of the pants hanger type wherein the hanger in cludes a biased equalizing bar, and wherein the biasing force is produced by a cantilever-supported member formed of a resilient material.

These and other objects of the invention arising from the details and relationships of the components of embodiments thereof will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an embodiment of a garment hanger in accord with the invention illustrating the garment being hung in dotted lines,

FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of FIG. 1, as taken along section IIII thereof,

FIG. 3 is an elevational, diametrical, sectional view of the garment hanger of FIG. 1, without a garment placed thereon, illustrating the normal closed relation of the hanger components,

FIG. 4 is an elevational, sectional view taken along section IV-IV of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is an elevational, diametrical, sectional view taken of the garment hanger of FIG. 1 showing the fully open relationship of the components,

FIG. 6 is an elevational, sectional view of the garment hanger taken along section VIVI of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention, portions thereof being shown in section, and the open position being shown in dotted lines,

FIG. 8 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 taken along section VIIIVIII thereof,

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a third embodiment of garment hanger in accord with the invention, partly sectioned, illustrating a garment retainer shown in the locked position in full lines and in the unlocked" position in dotted lines,

FIG. 10 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 9, taken along section XX thereof,

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a garment hanger in accord with the invention wherein the supporting portion, the garment-engaging portion, and the resilient biasing portion are formed of a double wire arrangement,

FIG. 12 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 11, taken along section XII-XII thereof,

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11, partially in section,

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the invention as utilized in a coat hanger environment, portions thereof being shown in elevational sectional view,

FIGS. 15 and 16 are elevational and bottom views, respectively, of a sixth embodiment of the invention as utilized with a coat hanger,

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a seventh embodiment of a garment hanger in accord with the invention, wherein the garment hanger may be mounted upon a vertical supporting surface,

FIG. 18 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 17, taken along section XVIII-XVIII thereof,

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of an eighth embodiment of the invention, wherein the garment hanger may be mounted upon a vertical supporting wall,

FIG. 20 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 19, taken along section XXXX thereof,

, FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a ninth embodiment of the invention constructed of ,a molded synthetic material,

FIG. 22 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 21, as taken along section XXIIXXII thereof, and

FIGS. 23 and 24 are elevational views, partly in section, of the other embodiments of the invention.

A basic form of a garment hanger constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. This embodiment consists of a two-piece garment hanger consisting of a formed, elongated wire member 10 and an equalizing bar member 12.

The formed wire member 10 includes an end portion 14 having a hook '16 defined thereon, whereby the end portion constitutes a supporting portion for the garment hanger. Of course, the hook 16 could take the form of a T such as shown in FIG. 7, or other shapes which are commonly employed to support hangers. The wire support portion is bent at 18 from which depends an elongated portion 20 of a generally linear configuration. The portion 20 is disposed below the end portion 14 and is, preferably offset toward the end portion at 22 in its central region, as to provide a clearance for the seams of pants hung on the hanger. The wire 10 is, preferably, of a cylindrical configuration, and the lower surface of the portion 20 constitutes a surface adapted to engage the pants hung on the hanger, as will later be appreciated. The other end of the wire 10 is bent at 24 in a substantially manner relative to portion 20 defining a cantilever portion 26 having a loop 28 defined upon the terminating end thereof. The cantilever portion 26 is disposed on the opposite side of the wire portion 20 with re spect to the end or supporting portion 14, and the entire formed wire member is formed in a common plane, as will be appreciated from FIGS. 2, 4 and 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the equalizing bar 12 is formed of a cylindrical wood dowel of approximately a three-quarter inch diameter. Of course, the equalizing bar could be formed of plastic or other material. The equalizing bar 12 is substantially rigid, is of a linear configuration, and of a length generally corresponding to the length of the wire portion 23. The equalizing bar includes an end portion 39 disposed adjacent the bent wire portion 18 and an end portion 32 disposed adjacent the wire bend 24. A central portion 34 is defined on the equalizing bar between the end portions 30 and 32.

A recess 36 is defined within the bar 12 and extends in the longitudinal direction thereof. The recess 36 is defined by a pair of spaced, parallel walls 38 which are separated by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the wire and which intersect the bar end 32 and extend to the central portion 34 of the bar. As will be apparent from FIGS. 3 and 5, the depth of the recess 36 increases in the vertical direction from the central por tion of the bar to the end portion 32, and the vertical dimension of the recess adjacent the end 32 is considerably greater than the diameter of the Wire, as will be apparent from FIG. 3. The recess 36 intersects the bottom of the bar as to be open throughout its length. A pocket 40 is defined in the central portion of the bar at the end of the recess 36, and is defined by surfaces 42, which are disposed in the vertical direction, and a surface 44 disposed in a longitudinal direction with respect to the bar.

The bar 12 is assembled on the Wire cantilever portion 26 by sliding the bar on the cantilever portion wherein the cantilever portion is received in the recess 36 until the loop 28 is received within the pocket 40. This fully assembled relationship will be apparent from FIG. 3. The reception of the loop 28 within the pocket 40 longitudinally positions the bar 12 relative to the wire portion 20, in that the surfaces 42 will engage the loop if there is a tendency to longitudinally shift the bar. The resilient character of the wire will bias the equalizing bar 12 into engagement with the wire portion whereby the upper surface of the bar will be in an opposed engaging relationship with the lower surface of the wire portion 20. When it is desired to hang a garment, such as pants 46, upon the hanger, the garment is inserted on the equalizing bar end 30, and is moved across the bar toward the bend 24. When the pants 46 are located as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, the garment is properly located on the hanger.

When a garment is placed on the equalizing bar 12, the separation of the portion 20 and bar 12 to permit the garment to be received between the wire portion 20 and the bar is due to deformation occurring in the bend 24 and the cantilever portion 26. This deformation is shown in an exaggerated form in FIG. 5, wherein the maximum degree of separation between the wire portion 20 and bar 12 is occurring. As the separation of the wire portion 20 and the equalizing bar 12 occurs as a garment is placed on the hanger, the cantilever will move within the recess 36 from a position similar to that of FIG. 3 to a position which, though not as extreme as shown in FIG. 5, will be in a like direction of movement. The loop 28 engages the pocket surface 44 in such a manner that an angular, or pivotal interconnection exists between the loop and the equalizing bar 12 in the plane of the wire member 10. Since the biasing force produced by the cantilever 26 and bend 24 is applied to the equalizing bar in the central region 34 of the bar, the loop 28 will function as a fulcrum and permit a parallel relationship to exist between the wire portion 20 and bar 12 when the garment is fully placed in the bar. Furthermore, the fulcrum relationship between the loop 28 and the bar 12 equalizes the holding pressures applied to the garment adjacent the bar ends and 32 and, thus, the garment will be held on the hanger with a uniform pressure throughout the locations of contact between the garment and the hanger.

The fact that the cantilever portion 26 is received within the recess 36 and the reception of the loop 28 in the pocket 40, orients the bar 12 on the resilient portion 26, whereby the bar will always lie within the plane defined by the wire portions. In this manner, the relationships shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 will always be maintained regardless of the degree of separation between the wire portion 20 and the bar 12. It will be appreciated that to operate in the manner described above, the wire member 10 must be of a resilient character wherein separation of the portion 20 and bar 12 within normal limits does not deform the bend 24 or the resilient cantilever portion 26 beyond their elastic limits. It is possible to form the elongated member 10 of an acceptable material other than wire, such as synthetic plastic material, although the wire formed of a spring steel alloy is preferable. It will be understood that the wire member 10 must be resilient enough to permit sufiicient deformation to allow the garment to he slipped upon bar 12, but must be stiff enough so that the weight of the garment on the bar does not significantly reduce the biased grip on the garment between portion 20 and bar 12 where the hanger is suspended by hook 16.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 employs an elongated member 48, preferably formed of wire, having a T-shaped supporting portion 50 defined thereon, rather than a book. The elongated member 48 is formed of a configuration somewhat similar to that of the previously described embodiment, including a portion 52 thereof adapted to contact the upper portion of the garment to be hung on the hanger. The member 48 is bent at 54 and 56 to provide a portion 58 which is substantially vertically disposed and of a length greater than the diameter of the equalizing bar 60. The cantilever portion 62 extends from the bend 56 and is provided at 64 with a terminating end transversely disposed to the cantilever length.

The equalizing bar 60 is provided with a diametrically related hole 66 intersecting the bottom of the bar in which the terminating end 64 is closely received. The hole 66 is defined in the central portion of the equalizing bar, and at the end portion of the bar adjacent the wire portion 58 the bar is slotted to define a pair of parallel, spaced surfaces 68 in which the portion 58 is closely received. It will be appreciated that the interconnection between the member 48 and the equalizing bar 6!), due to the hole 66 and the slot surfaces 68, will maintain the equalizing bar properly oriented with respect to the general plane of the member 48.

When a garment is slipped onto the right end of the bar 60, relative movement occurs wherein the member 48 will be deformed to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 7. To permit this deformation, bending occurs within the resilient cantilever portion 62 and, also, within the bends 54 and 56. The resilient character of the cantilever 62 is such as to permit the necessary pivotal, or angular, movement of the equalizing bar on the cantilever in the plane of the member 48 to equalize the grip on the garment adjacent each end of the equalizing bar and, thus, it will be appreciated that the embodiment of FIG. 7 basically functions in the same manner as the previously described embodiment.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the elongated member 70 is provided with a supporting portion 72, a generally linear garment-engaging portion 74, and a cantilever portion 76. The cantilever portion 76 is provided with a formed end portion 78 which includes transverse surfaces 80. The equalizing bar 82 is provided on its underside with a recess 84 defined by a pair of spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending surfaces located within the central region of the equalizing bar and longitudinally defined by surfaces 86. The cantilever terminating end portion 78 is closely received Within the recess 84 wherein the surfaces engage with the recess surfaces 86 and, thus, as the terminating end portion 78 is of a considerable longitudinal length, the reception of the terminating end portion within the recess will maintain the equalizing bar 82 within the general plane of the member 70. When a garment is inserted between the portion 74 and the equalizing bar 82, the cantilever portion 76 and the associated bend 88 permit suflicient separation for the garment to be slipped over the bar.

A garment retainer is shown on the embodiment of FIG. 9 which, if desired, could be used with the previously described hanger embodiments. The retainer 90 consists of a double wire of a generally U-shape having ends 92 pivotally received within holes 94 defined in the equalizer bar 82 adjacent the right end, FIG. 9. In this manner the retainer 90 may be pivoted to the open position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9, which permits a garment to be slipped on the equalizing bar. After the garment is positioned on the equalizing bar, the retainer is pivoted to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 9 wherein the retainer portion 96 may he slipped over a small ridge, or received within a small notch, defined in the supporting portion 72 for maintaining the retainer in the full line position of FIG. 9 and, thereby, prevent the garment from sliding off the bar portion if the hanger is to be carried about and subjected to handling which is more violent than that which would be .received in the course of normal hanger use.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 11 through 13, the formed, elongated member 98 consists of a double wire arrangement of a configuration which will be apparent from the drawings. The supporting portion 100 is in the form of a hook defined by the contiguously formed double wires, and the garment-engaging portion 102 is, likewise, formed of the double wires contiguously disposed. If desired, a small clip 104 may be employed at the seam clearance offset to maintain the contiguous relationship of the Wires at the portion 102. The equalizing bar 106 is merely of a cylindrical configuration having a pair of diametrically related holes 108 defined therein at the bar central region. At 110 the wire is bent in a direction which defines cantilever portions 112 which are disposed out of the general plane in which the portions 100 and 102 are defined, FIG. 12. Each of the cantilever portions 112 extends along a side of the equalizing bar 106, and the terminating ends of the cantilever portions are formed with inwardly bent portions 114 which are received within the holes 108.

The reception of the cantilever portion terminating ends 114 in the holes 108 will properly orient the equalizing bar 106 to the formed, elongated member portion 102, and the hanger will operate in the same general manner as the previously described embodiments. Separation between the portion 102 and the equalizing bar 106 occurs due to deformation within the cantilever portions 112 and the associated bends 110. While the formation of the member 98 may be somewhat more complex in this embodiment, as compared with the previous embodiments, a minimum of machining is required to form the equalizing bar 106.

FIG. 14 illustrates a manner in which the principles of the invention may be applied to .a pants hanger utilized with a coat hanger. A coat hanger formed of a pair of conventional interconnected portions 116 is shown in FIG. 14, and the coat hanger includes a bar 118 con nected at its ends to the portions 116. Preferably, the portions 116 and 118 are formed of wood, as is common in the manufacture of high quality coat hangers. The left.

coat hanger portion 116 constitutes the support for a cantilever-supported, resilient member 120. The member 120, preferably, is formed of wire having an end 122 tightly received within a hole 124 defined in the left hanger portion 116. The outer end of the cantilever member 120 is formed with a loop 126. The equalizing bar 128 may be identical to that shown in the species of FIGS. 1 through 6, except that the equalizing bar is relieved at 130, at its upper surface, to provide clearance for the trouser seams. The pants are slipped on the equalizing bar 128 over the right end of the bar, FIG. 14, and the interconnection between the bar and the cantilever 120 will permit the equalizing bar to function in the same manner as described with respect to the previously described embodiments, whereby a uniform clamping action between the equalizing bar and the hanger member will be produced.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein the inventive concepts may be employed with a coat hanger. The coat hanger of this embodiment consists of a pair of interconnected portions 132, each having a fiat surface 134 defined on the underside thereof. The garment hanger in accord with the invention includes a wire member 136 having an end formed with a loop 138. The wire member 136 also includes a generally linear portion 140, having an offset portion for the trouser seams, and the portion 140 terminates in a loop 142. After forming the loop 142, the member 136 is bent downwardly at 144 and back toward the right, FIG. 15, to form a cantilever portion 146. The equalizing bar 148 is formed identical to that of FIGS. 1 through 6, and the end of the cantilever portion 146 is provided with a loop, not shown, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6. I

The pants hanger is aflixed to the coat hanger portions 132 by screws 150 extending through the loops 138 and 142, wherein the loops are held in engagement with the coat hanger surfaces 134. The garment to be hung is then slipped over the right end of the equalizing bar 148.

The hanger of FIGS. 17 and 18 is of a configuration permitting the hanger to be firmly affixed to a vertical supporting surface, such as a wall or a door. In this embodiment, the Wire member 152 is formed at one end with a loop 154 adapted to receive a screw. The portion 156 includes the seam-receiving offset portion and a surface adapted to engage the garment to be hung. At the left end, the member 152 is formed with a loop 158 which is also adapted to receive a screw and the cantilever portion 160 depends downwardly with respect to the loop 158. The equalizing bar 162 is formed identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6 and coopcrates with the cantilever portion 160 in the same manner. From FIG. 18 it will be appreciated that the loop 154 and the loop 158 are deformed out of the plane defined by the portion 156 and the cantilever portion 160 whereby the portion 156 and the equalizing bar 162 will be set out from the wall or door to which the hanger is mounted by screws extending through the loops 154 and 158 and holding the loops to the mounting surface.

The embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20 is identical to that of FIGS. 1 through 6, and similar components are indicated by primed reference numerals. Rather than having a hook portion defined on the supporting portion 14, the embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20 includes a supporting portion 164 disposed in a horizontal manner, and a vertically disposed portion 166. The portion 166 may be flattened and screw-receiving holes 168 are defined therein. In this manner, the hanger of FIGS. 19 and 20 may be mounted to a wall so that the equalizing bar 12 and the portion 20' will be set away from the wall.

The embodiment of FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrates a garment hanger incorporating the inventive principles and concepts of the invention, but differs from the previously described embodiments, in that the hanger may be completely formed of a synthetic, molded, plastic material. The hanger includes a support portion 170 having a hook 172 defined thereon. The support portion curves under the hook to define a garment-supporting portion 174 having a cross-sectional configuration, as will be apparent from FIG. 22, whereby the garment to be hung may be placed upon the upper surface of the portion 174. The garment on the portion 174 is gripped thereon by an equalizing bar 176. The equalizing bar 176 is provided with a clearance opening for the seams of trousers and is connected at its central portion to the support portion 170 by a pair of resilient cantilever-supported portions 178. The portions 178 are of a reduced dimension and are, thus, capable of functioning as resilient components and permitting the equalizing bar to be biased away from the portion 174 as a garment is slipped on the upper surface of the portion 174 and angularly positionable thereto. Of course, to permit such operation of the hanger, the material forming the hanger must be of such a resilient character as to permit sufficient deformation to occur within the portions 178 to permit the necessary movement of the equalizing bar away from the portion 174 as the garment is placed on the hanger.

A hanger in accord with the embodiment of FIGS. 21 and 22 could be formed in a synthetic, plastic, injection molding machine. After molding, deformation of the hanger in the region 180 would probably be required to produce the desired contiguous relationship between the portion 174 and the equalizing bar 176, as shown in FIG. 21, in order to insure a firm gripping of the garment placed upon the portion 174.

In the embodiment of FIG. 23, the support portion 182 of the hanger and the garment-supporting portion 184 may be formed of a molded, synthetic, plastic material. The equalizing bar 186 also may be formed of plastic, if desired, and is mounted to the portion 182 by a resilient wire member 188 having its lower end connected to the central region of the bar 136. The right end of the bar 186 is provided with a slot 190 which loosely receives the vertical portion 192 of the support portion 182. The cooperation of the slot 190 and portion 192 aids in maintaining the alignment of the portion 184 and the bar 186.

In FIG. 24 a rigid garment-supporting portion 194 is supported upon a wire support portion 196. The equalizing bar 198 is positioned above the portion 194 by a wire 200 afiixed to the portion 194 and extending from an end thereof, which is bent at 202 and forms a cantilever at 294 having a loop at 206. The bar 198 includes a recess 208 and loop-receiving pocket which cooperate with the cantilever 204 in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6.

hanger type is produced which is of an economical construction, may be easily assembled, employs a minimum of components, and produces a uniform holding engage ment with the garment being hung. Variations in garment thickness along the equalizing bar can be compensated for because the equalizing bar is capable of angular movement, with respect to the other portion of the hanger which engages the garment. The action of the equalizing bar minimizes the ettort required to place the garment on the hanger and does not produce an excessive pressure or clamping action at any location, such as is the case with many pants hangers. Operation of the pants hanger in accord with the invention is readily apparent to the user, and a sturdy, high quality garment hanger is provided by the invention at a minimum of cost. The equalized gripping action produced by the hanger does not adversely atfect the garments being hung and no sharp corners or other obstructions exist which may tend to snag or tear the garment.

It is appreciated that various modifications to the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is intended that the invention be defined only by the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is:

1. A garment hanger comprising, in combination, a supporting portion, a horizontal elongated first portion extending from said supporting portion defining a first surface, a horizontal elongated equalizing bar portion having a Second surface defined thereon, said equalizing bar portion including spaced end portions and a central portion disposed between said end portions, one of said end portions being unobstructed and freely accessible,

' 8 and cantilever supported resilient biasing means supporting said equalizing bar portion in vertical alignment with respect to said horizontal elongated first portion where- 'by said first and second surfaces are related in an opposed said first and second surfaces.

2. A garment hanger as in claim 1 wherein the support only at said central portion is pivot means.

3. In a garment hanger as in claim 1 wherein said support portion, first portion and resilient biasing means are a continuous, elongated, formable, resilient member having first and second terminating ends, said resilient biasing means includes means supporting said central portion at said first terminating end of said elongated member and said resilient biasing means being disposed in the region of said second terminating end and said first portion being intermediate said first and second ends, said resilient biasing means including a portion of said elongated member disposed in the region of said second end and bent back with said respect to said first portion and depending therefrom, said bent back portion being disposed on the opposite side of said first portion with respect to the location of said supporting portion relative to said first portion, said equalizing bar portion comprising a substantially rigid bar, said elongated member second terminating end engaging the central region of said bar.

4. In a garment hanger as in claim 3 wherein a pair of spaced, parallel surfaces are longitudinally defined in said bar defining a groove, a portion of said elongated member forming said resilient biasing means being closely received within said groove whereby the relationship of said groove and associated biasing means portion of said elongated member orients said bar relative to said first portion of said elongated member.

5. In a garment hanger as in claim 1 wherein a pair of spaced, parallel surfaces are defined in said equalizing bar forming an elongated groove, said cantilever-supported, resilient means being received within said groove whereby the cooperation between said groove and can tilever-supported, resilient means maintains the alignment between said equalizing bar portion and said first portion.

6. A garment hanger comprising, in combination, a resilient formed member having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion, said first end portion forming a support portion, said intermediate portion being horizontal and of an elongated configuration and depending from said support portion, said second end portion depending from said intermediate portion and being bent back with respect thereto whereby said second end portion is disposed on the opposite side of said intermediate portion from said first end portion and defines a resiliently supported cantilever having a terminating end, an elongated, horizontal, substantially rigid, equalizing bar having first and second ends and a central portion, said equalizing bar first end being disposed toward the bent back portion of said formed member second end portion, a longitudinally extending recess defined in said equalizing bar in the region of said central portion, said resilient formed member second end portion cantilever terminating end received Within said recess engaging said bar central portion biasing said bar toward said member intermediate portion and permitting angular movement of said bar about said terminating end with respect to said member intermediate portion, said equal izing bar and said resilient formed member intermediate portion being maintained in alignment by the engagement of second end portion cantilever terminating end and said recess.

7. In a garment hanger as in claim 6 wherein said recess defined in said central region of said bar longitudinally extends to and intersects said bar first end, said recess having a depth dimension extending toward said resilient formed member intermediate portion and of a depth adjacent said bar first end greater than the crosssectional dimension of said resilient formed member second end portion, said second end portion being closely, movably received within said recess.

8. In a garment hanger as in claim 7 wherein said formed member comprises a wire, a loop defined on said cantilever terminating end, a pocket defined in said equalizing bar recess in the central portion of said bar having surfaces defining the configuration of said pocket in the longitudinal direction of said bar, said loop being received in said pocket between said surfaces whereby said 15 loop and surfaces longitudinally position said bar upon said cantilever and maintains the longitudinal relationship of said wire intermediate portion and said bar.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 541,293 6/1895 Smith 223-96 1,027,223 5/1912 Sybenga 22396 1,110,387 9/1914 Gates 223-96 10 2,547,561 4/1951 Brooke 223-91 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

G. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A GARMENT HANGER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORTING PORTION, A HORIZONTAL ELONGATED FIRST PORTION EXTENDING FROM SAID SUPPORTING PORTION DEFINING A FIRST SURFACE, A HORIZONTAL ELONGATED EQUALIZING BAR PORTION HAVING A SECOND SURFACE DEFINED THEREON, SAID EQUALIZING BAR PORTION INCLUDING SPACED END PORTIONS AND A CENTRAL PORTION DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID END PORTIONS, ONE OF SAID END PORTION BEING UNOBSTRUCTED AND FREELY ACCESSIBLE, AND CANTILEVER SUPPORTED RESILIENT BIASING MEANS SUPPORTING SAID EQUALIZING BAR PORTION IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID HORIZONTAL ELONGATED FIRST PORTION WHERE BY SAID FIRST AND SECOND SURFACES ARE RELATED IN AN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO HOLD A GARMENT THEREBETWEEN, SAID RESILIENT BIASING MEANS SUPPORTINGLY ENGAGING SAID EQUALIZING BAR PORTION ONLY AT SAID CENTRAL PORTION AND SUPPORTING SAID EQUALIZING BAR PORTION FOR ANGULAR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST PORTION AND BIASING SAID EQUALIZING BAR PORTION TOWARD SAID FIRST PORTION FOR HOLDING A GARMENT BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND SURFACES. 